Truck smashes store, drags away ATM

A business owner is cleaning up Monday after thieves rammed a pickup through the side of his convenience store near downtown and drove away dragging an ATM.

The burglars smashed into the Quik Saver on Jensen near Sumpter about 3 a.m., said Rocky Lam, the store owner. He said they backed a pickup through the plate-glass window and brick wall, hooked a chain around the ATM machine near the checkout counter and yanked it out.

They left behind the truck tailgate, a Ford emblem, a piece of heavy chain, the cover of a red tail light and lots of damage. Lam said police are still looking for the burglars and their booty. They are believed to have driven a gray Ford pick up. Lam said about $2,000 was in the ATM.

When the robbers slammed through the wall, they smashed display cases, shelves and the checkout counter. Merchandise littered the floor. Bricks were scattered inside the store.

Lam, who bought the store about six months ago, stood outside the gaping hole Monday morning surveying the damage. He said he expected to get some to help repair the wall and cleanup the inside of the store. He also expected to hear from his insurance company.

He said he had just recently asked the company that owned the ATM to move the cash dispenser from its original spot near the font door to a place a further into the store for safety reason. The precaution didn’t help protect the machine or Lam’s business.